Was the Ford Probe a Mazda?
The Ford Probe was Ford's own two‑door sports coupe developed with substantial input from Mazda, and it shared its underlying platform with Mazda's MX-6, but it remained a Ford-branded model rather than a Mazda badge.
Origins and collaboration
In the late 1980s, Ford and Mazda embarked on a joint effort to create a competitive two‑door coupe that could stand up to Japanese rivals. The Probe emerged from that partnership as Ford’s interpretation of the concept, with Mazda contributing engineering expertise, shared chassis work, and knowledge of powertrains. The MX‑6 and Probe were developed in parallel, effectively acting as siblings in a cross‑brand program while each carried its own branding and market positioning.
Mazda's role
Mazda provided engineering input and shared components derived from its own front‑wheel‑drive platform. For the performance‑oriented Probe GT, Mazda contributed parts of the drivetrain and technical know‑how that aligned the Probe with Mazda’s own sports coupes, reinforcing the collaboration between the two companies.
Shared platform and design cues
Mechanically, the Probe rode on a platform closely related to Mazda’s MX‑6, enabling similar handling and packaging. Ford styled the Probe to reflect its own design language and brand identity, giving it a distinct exterior and interior while drawing on Mazda’s engineering foundations.
What the two cars share and how they differ
To understand the ties between the Probe and Mazda's MX‑6, here's a snapshot of what they shared and what set them apart.
- Shared underpinnings: a common front‑wheel‑drive platform and many mechanical parts with the MX‑6
- Joint development: Ford and Mazda collaborated on engineering and development for both models
- Powertrain connections: Mazda contributed drivetrain components for the Probe's more performance‑oriented variants
- Brand and market positioning: the Probe carried Ford branding, while the MX‑6 carried Mazda branding
In summary, the Probe is not a Mazda, but it is a product born from a close Ford–Mazda collaboration that yielded shared engineering and parts across two brands’ sports coupes.
Production history and branding
The Probe was produced by Ford in the United States during the 1990s and was positioned as Ford’s answer to the popular Japanese sport coupes of the era. Its development alongside the MX‑6 reflected a broader era of cross‑brand collaboration between Ford and Mazda, though the two models ultimately remained distinct products with separate branding and dealer networks.
End of the program
As market conditions and corporate strategies evolved, Ford phased out the Probe in the mid‑ to late‑1990s, while Mazda concluded the MX‑6 production around the same period. The collaboration did not continue in a similar form for subsequent generations.
Legacy and perceptions
Today, the Probe is frequently cited as a notable product of cross‑brand collaboration: a Ford‑built coupe that benefited from Mazda engineering and components. Among enthusiasts, it’s remembered for its distinctive styling and quirky status as a “what if” example of a Mazda‑influenced Ford model, rather than as a Mazda badge.
Summary
Bottom line: the Ford Probe was not Mazda, but it was the result of a cooperative effort between Ford and Mazda that shared platform and engineering DNA. It remains a Ford product with strong Mazda influence, illustrating how brands sometimes join forces to create competitive sport coupes in an era of cross‑brand collaboration.
Is the Ford Probe a Mazda?
As before, the Probe was to share its under-structure with Mazda's MX-6 and 626. Mazda engineered the engine, transmission, and chassis, while Ford engineered the body and interior. Technically, the second generation Probe is 60% Mazda and 40% Ford.
What cars did Ford make with Mazda?
So, in 1974, Mazda allowed a 24.5% stake in their business to be purchased by Ford. This enabled Ford to bolster the Japanese brand, help them develop cars cheaper, and reduce costs across the board. This partnership resulted in models such as the Ford Festiva, Ford Telstar, and Ford Escape.
Was Mazda owned by Ford?
No, Mazda is not currently owned by Ford, but Ford was a major shareholder for decades and a strategic partnership existed until 2015. Ford began selling its stake in Mazda starting in 2008 due to financial issues, and by 2015, it had sold nearly all of its shares. Mazda is now an independent company.
- Ford's investment: Ford first acquired a stake in Mazda in the 1970s, and by 1996, Ford owned 33.4% of the company.
- Divestment: Due to economic pressures, Ford began selling its shares in 2008.
- End of ownership: By 2015, Ford had sold its remaining shares, and the two companies were no longer under the same ownership structure.
- Current status: Mazda is now an independent company, and it has a strategic alliance with Toyota.
What is the Mazda version of the Probe?
Mazda MX-6
Hi people, the Ford Probe was loosely based on the Mazda MX-6 with a turbocharged 145hp 4cilinder 2.2 litre/ 135c. i driving the front wheels. From 1993 till '97 almost 310.000 were build of this type.
